April 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11, Issue 4)
April 2025 Newsletter (Volume 11 Issue 4)
Headlines are provided below. Click to read each story in the newsletter.
A Note from Sheriff Torgerson
In this newsletter, we introduce the newest addition to training and emergency management capabilities for Olmsted County and Southeast Minnesota. We are extremely proud of where this facility addition will allow us to offer classes and meeting opportunities that has routinely caused first responders to drive to the Metro area for more in-depth and larger group trainings. This caused tax dollars to be spent on travel, per diems, and hotels stays for staff. Those expenses can now be used to enhance the training bringing the instructors to us.
The concept of the Training Center first began in the late 1990’s within our training division when it was housed at the Government center having opened in 1992. Within those six years, staff and then Sheriff Borchardt recognized the need for more dedicated space. Some of the Sheriff’s Office training was in shared space with Rochester PD and as both our agencies were growing, the space was cramping the full-time training needs and utilized very limited outdoor space.
By 2012 the outdoor spaces at the new Training Center as it exists today was opened with a fire training tower for fire departments doubling as space for law enforcement scenario training, a driving course for required emergency vehicle operations, and outdoor handgun and rifle training ranges. Since it opened multiple first responder agencies including the peace officer skills training program and college courses at RCTC have used the facility for pre-hire education required by the State of Minnesota.
Now the new facility for training and emergency management needs that have been scattered about for decades are finally under one roof. This facility would not be possible without the support from our County Board, County Administration, and County Building and Facilities Department. Our Sheriff’s Office mission statement directs us to provide quality services that promotes and protects the safety and well-being of all people in our community. We feel this facility and the capable staff managing our training and emergency management will more than ever before meet the needs of our communities well into the future.
Bold. Forward. Unbound?
Captain Jon Jacobson
Bold. A simple word that can be defined in so many ways. It was truly bold of our County Board to approve of needed funding for a new Public Safety Training Center for the Sheriff’s Office. The concepts proposed for our new building by our architect, construction contractor, our very own Facilities and Building Operations and other county staff was nothing short of…bold. The new building houses our Staff Training and Emergency Management Division, which consists of ten staff, and we occupied the building in November 2024. Together, we have scheduled more than 100 training courses, state and regional meetings, and other events that encompass more than 200 out of 240 working calendar days in 2025 so far! Our new building has large presentation rooms that can accommodate multiple events simultaneously using near soundproof partitions. We have already experienced several days with more than 120 people occupying the building in separate training sessions and/or meetings. There is a dedicated defensive tactics room that is fully matted for the safety of our staff and instructors coupled with a small, but adequate, equipped workout area. The technology in the building is state-of-the-art; which will also serve us well when the presentation space and other conference rooms are utilized to stand up our emergency operations center. The building also offers ample break space for staff and guests, locker room, bathrooms with showers, and highlights great views of our country location and wildlife.
Forward. Most people envision the future when this word is spoken. The new Public Safety Training Center certainly is a futuristic building in design and function, and so is our equipment. In a previous newsletter, we highlighted our agency’s transition to Axon; a leading international company in technology advancements for public safety. Coupled with our new Axon body cameras, fleet cameras, and automatic license plate reader systems, our office took delivery of the most futuristic device yet; the Taser 10. Axon’s goal with this new conducted energy weapon (CEW) is to reduce the number of people killed by law enforcement in the United States by 50 percent in 10 years. Although the number of fatal interactions with law enforcement in Olmsted County are extremely rare, the importance of this highly improved CEW in less than lethal encounters cannot be overstated. When circumstances exist for the use of reasonable force and a Taser is employed, our staff will have a far better tool right on their belt. The new Taser allows for precision probe placement from a distance more than twice that of the previous version of Taser we were using; nearly 50 feet. The sanctity of life, and preserving it, is of utmost importance to members of this office. Having an additional tool that our staff can be confident in its use and reliability follows right behind. Rollout and training for the new Taser 10 was completed in three stages which included several hours of online learning, virtual reality training, and live scenario training over the past 6 weeks. The new Public Safety Training Center, and its versatile space, certainly made the completion of this training possible and seamless.
Unbound? Well, we won’t go that far as we aren’t a world-renowned medical facility! While we are bound by our tax dollars we feel unbound being supported by our County Board, County Administration, and you, our readers; this support makes us feel that we can accomplish so much together. We are certainly proud of our new space, and the ability to train in so many ways within its walls is truly a dream come true. One bonus is we have been able to interact with our other county departments, as well, as we have shared our space to accommodate large meetings and trainings with them. Networking with our other departments in this way continues to build strong relationships so that we can continue to better serve all residents in Olmsted County, and beyond.
Scam Alert
Scammers are sending fake messages pretending to be MnDOT, E-ZPass or other tolling agencies. These messages claim you owe money and direct you to a payment link. This is a scam! They will never text or email you asking for payment or personal information. If you receive a suspicious text or email message, delete and do not respond. Don’t set up an account due to a text or email scam.
Scam information:
- Minnesota E-ZPass (MnDOT) will never email or text you for payment or personal information.
- Text numbers and email addresses are chosen at random, and they are targeting everyone—not just E-ZPass users. There is no data breach.
- Delete and don’t click on anything that seems off or suspicious. Report as “junk” or "spam" if your device has this option. This helps your device recognize spam.
- Do not set up a new or different E-ZPass account due to a text or email scam.
- If you clicked on a link or provided information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts.
You can report fraud activity to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission.
If you have questions or concerns, check your account through the secure customer portal, or contact them directly.
Sometimes scammers send what looks like an invoice in the mail. Scam letters will include a bogus or questionable URL link and will often have a sense of urgency. Minnesota E-ZPass, MnDOT, or other agencies may send a letter in the mail, but it will look official including agency letterhead, detailed information, and multiple methods for contacting and/or remitting payment to the agency. If you receive a letter in the mail, confirm it is legitimate and always verify information directly with the agency.
Regardless of what form the scam, if they’re asking for/demanding money or personal or account information, or they’re asking you to meet with cash or gift cards, this is highly suspicious and you should never hesitate to call to verify. Look up the phone number of your account or the agency they say they represent and call the numbers you find (not the number they gave you). When you verify someone has tried to scam you, share the particulars with anyone in your life that you fear could be manipulated.
Monthly snapshot: 2025 Public Safety Training Center scheduled use
Captain Jon Jacobson
122 total events scheduled in the new building so far in 2025. Events range from ½ day meetings up to 2-week long training courses. Of the 122 events, 42 events happen simultaneously in separate training spaces within the Public Safety Training Center building. Out of 250 working calendar days in 2025, there is at least one event happening in the new building on 211 out of those 250 days. That’s quite an accomplishment for just getting into April!
| Impaired | Distracted | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internal Trainings |
24 |
57 |
|
Hosted Training Courses |
34 | 107 |
|
Regional and State Meetings |
32 | 32 |
|
County Department meetings |
28 | 28 |
|
Other County Department Trainings |
4 | 18 |
| Total |
122 |
242 |
Dates of interest
April 1
High Forest Township Meeting
Elmira Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
April 2
Salem Township Meeting
April 3
Dover City Council Meeting
April 7
Cascade Township Meeting
Oronoco Township Meeting
Pleasant Grove Township Meeting
Quincy Township Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
April 8
Byron City Council Meeting
Marion Township Meeting
New Haven Township Meeting
Stewartville City Council Meeting
April 10
Eyota City Council Meeting
Rochester Township Meeting
April 14
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Orion Township Meeting
Rock Dell Township Meeting
April 15
Farmington Township Meeting
Olmsted County Board Meeting
Pine Island City Council Meeting
April 16
Haverhill Township Meeting
April 21
Eyota Township Meeting
Kalmar Township Meeting
Oronoco City Council Meeting
Rochester City Council Meeting
April 22
Stewartville City Council Meeting
April 24
Eyota City Council Meeting
Olmsted County Fire Meeting
Olmsted Co. Township Assoc. Meeting
April 28
Chatfield City Council Meeting
Dover Township Meeting
Viola Township Meeting
Senior Administration
Sheriff
Kevin Torgerson
Chief Deputy - LEC
James Schueller
Captains
Jon Jacobson
Kelly Lee
Ryan Mangan
Tim Parkin
Chris Wallace
Executive Assistant
Laura Collins
Director - ADC
Samantha Reps
Captains
David Adams
Andy Danielson
Macey Tesmer